Ex-skippers astounded with green caps back-to-back defeats

KARACHI - As many as five former skippers Aamir Sohail, Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Rashid Latif and M Yousuf were all astonished and shocked with Pakistan's massive back-to-back defeats in Twenty20 International series against New Zealand losing it 2-1. After losing the by 15 runs in Auckland in the opening T20, New Zealand bounced back in style and recoded 10-wicket at Hamilton and 95-run triumph in Wellington. "Pakistan was clearly lacking tactically, in planning and strategy which proved disastrous," they all believed. Aamir Sohail - a member of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning team - said that change in batting order reflected the confidence on the players. "Our management and captain misread the track that was good for batting and we sent Kiwis to bat first. It was a big mistake," the left-handed opener said. "After Kiwis build a massive total of 196, our batsmen were under pressure in pursuit of quick runs," he said. He also questioned the shot selection of top order batsmen. "This performance should be an eye opener for team management, the selectors and PCB administrators a couple of month before ICC World T20,” he said. Wasim Akram said a great focus and consistency was required from the batsmen. He said he was expecting fighting games from Pakistan team but they surrendered meekly. The sultan of swing said the shot selection of the players was not good and they paid the penalty for their mistakes. "Not many good batsmen are coming up in the national team which is causing trouble," he maintained. Ramiz Raja said Pakistan team batsmen were under pressure after losing a couple of quick wickets. "I was surprise to see Pakistan starting with Anwar Ali instead their fastest bowler Wahab Riaz," he commented. He opined that Pakistan spinner could have played better role. But only Shahid Afridi applied some pressure on Kiwis batsmen. "I always rated Pakistan favourites in T20 version against Kiwis. We made a great start with a victory.”“Win and loss are part of the game but the way we surrendered in the last two games, it was deeply disappointing and hurting," said former stylish batsman M Yousuf. “None of our players was learning from their mistakes and that was reason for our team's decline, he said. These players are not keen to learn that was the reason of their downfall,” he remarked. Rashid Latif said performing under pressure was vital and Pakistan team again failed to deliver in such a situation. He also questioned dropping of lanky fast bowler M Irfan from the T20 series. He said team management and players are equally responsible for the debacle. "We needed to work extensively and scientifically on our gray areas to develop the team," the former gloveman said. Pakistan former express Shoaib Akhtar was also surprised with one sided defeat in the last Twent20 but added they are capable of bouncing back in ODI series. "I am deeply hurt and disappointed with the one sided result in the last match," he said.